Elan has been recognized as one of the most innovative brands in skiing for several decades. Much of the credit for this well-deserved acclaim goes to the Elan Development Institute. Established in 1963, it has played a leading role in the development of groundbreaking technologies and products.
The sixties were a pivotal time for Elan. The dramatic changes and business growth of the time were driven by a simple question: "Are we going to stay average or are we going to keep up with global competition?" In 1963, Elan established its Development Institute and took a decisive step towards excellence, originality, and trendsetting.
The dedicated development group produced stunning ideas and innovations worthy of emulation. More importantly, the ideas secured Elan's status as a globally recognized innovator.
What was behind the innovations? A high-quality range of sports products, especially skis, required not only ideas, but also the knowledge and technology to bring them to life. Elan recruited several engineers who took a scientific approach to solving production challenges and introducing innovation. The Yugoslav economy was making massive strides at the time, but Elan went a step further with the establishment of its own institute. The company recognized the talent and experience within its ranks but also created a network of knowledge with other institutes and universities. The accumulated fundamental expertise and broader view of manufacturing challenges were applied to create specific products.
In the early years, the institute focused on researching the properties of wood, which remains an important material for Elan's skis, sailboats, and gymnastic equipment. The lab used special measuring equipment to study the deformation and tensile stresses in skis during its use. But engineers soon moved on to testing new materials and developing their own technology. This allowed the company to expand its product range to meet the needs of different markets.
The basic wooden ski was soon replaced by a composite ski. The company pioneered the use of composite materials in boat building, produced the first plastic ski, and developed the technological processes required to manufacture them. The resulting experience culminated in glider production.
Have you ever taken a closer look at the facade of the Elan Alpine Ski Museum or the main administration building? The decorative composite cubes were made right here at Elan. Today's in-depth knowledge of composites comes from the Institute. In a way, the engineers were driven by the thought: "It's nice to think of going to the moon, but how are we going to get there?’’
As a result, the Institute designed and developed several technologies to research and test the properties of skis and other products, including cross-country ski stiffness testing machines, an edge bending machine, a machine for wet grinding ski bases, and an automatic silk screen printing machine. They were the first in the world to glue less expensive wooden skis with ABS in a single operation. Another notable invention was the device for measuring the flex of skis, affectionately called FALKO.
Behind all this work was always a close-knit team with different ideas and approaches, but a single goal - to create products of the highest quality. This could only be achieved by working closely with experienced master craftsmen and women. They provided essential feedback on the Institute's research to guide further development and add a much-needed practical component.
In every way, the Institute has helped make Elan's story one of continuous innovation and superior solutions that have made the company a giant in the ski industry and a global trendsetter. It is a role that still belongs to Elan today.
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